Remember when The Darkness first emerged, and everyone went apeshit — you know, before the mother of all backlashes blew them off the face of the earth? It was good wasn't it? Go on, admit it, they had some tunes. Well now Justin Hawkins is back with a new band, Hot Leg, and he's on a rock ‘n' roll mission to prove that The Darkness only failed because they weren't quite camp or ridiculous enough. That's the Hot Leg vibe, and if he can pull it off, well, frankly he's a genius. Watch the insanity unfold at Cab Vol on 5 March.

SPIN Magazine is throwing it's annual SXSW Bash at Stubb's on Friday, March 20th (noon - 6:30pm) and damn it's a good one! Headlining will be none other than Echo & the Bunnymen. Also on the bill: Hot Leg (former frontman of the Darkness, Justin Hawkins's new band), Black Lips, Glasvegas, Passion Pit, and Cut Off Your Hands. The party will also feature some DJ sets from the Crystal Method and N.A.S.A. Wow, SPIN definitely knows how to throw a party!

The indoor stage will include performances by The Monthlies, Burke, and Hatcham Social.

We got to go to the SPIN bash back in 2006 (Thanks again Janelle!). It was so awesome to see We Are Scientists right in front of the stage and before they blew up. There was free BBQ, free whiskey, and best of all, we got to meet the band as well.

For the first time ever, SPIN will be giving away loads of passes to the invite-only event. Stay tuned to SPIN.com in the coming weeks for details, and for loads of SXSW preview coverage.